Global experts to stream into Brisbane for major river management forum

For the first time, Australia 's largest annual river management forum, the International River symposium will provide discussion and feedback from its key sessions to the 5 th World Water Forum in Turkey next year.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

The 11 th International River symposium : A Future of Extremes, will take place in Brisbane from Monday 1 to Thursday 4 September 2008.

More than 600 delegates from 40 countries will come together for the four-day forum to explore the challenges associated with the increased incidence of flooding and drought expected with climate change in future years.

Feature sessions and plenary presentations throughout River symposium will be delivered by the world's foremost scientists and academics.

A group of inspiring leaders from countries including Switzerland , Germany and Australia will lead discussions on hot topics including:

• Climate change and rivers – building climate resilience into rivers;
• Drought management and planning – water management with drying dams;
• Floodplain rivers – flood mitigation and maintaining ecological values;
• Preparing our urban waterways; and
• Maintaining food production.

The 11 th International River symposium will celebrate the 10 th anniversary of the Thiess River prize , presented by River festival and the International Riverfoundation.  The winners of the 2008 National and International Thiess River prize, the most prominent awards in their field, will be announced on Monday 1 September. The 2008 River symposium Young Water Scientist Award will also be presented at River symposium by partner GHD.

What:                          11 th International Riversymposium: A Future of Extremes

Date:                           1 – 4 September, 2008

Venue:                        Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre

Brisbane , Australia

Website:                     www.riversymposium.com

Contact:                     River symposium coordinator Carla Mathisen

carla@majorbrisbanefestivals.com.au

Media Contacts:           

Sian Yewdall at Sequel Communications on +61 7 3251 8132/ 0403 090 914

Nina Rinella at Sequel Communications +61 7 3251 8129/ 0434 313 064